The flight training industry has always marketed to the broad community while searching for those people who want to learn to fly. In this installment of Flight School Spotlight, you’ll meet Nick Tarascio, chief executive officer of Ventura Flight Training, who has been exploring ways to connect with successful local entrepreneurs. That’s not unique—but what Tarascio has discovered is that these individuals are looking for personal challenges. They may never have thought of learning to fly. But once they get into training, it’s immediately clear that this new adventure is exactly what they’ve been looking for. READ MORE ›

NEWS

FAA reviews AOPA medical course

The FAA has reviewed the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s aeromedical online course and confirmed that it meets the third class medical reform requirements that Congress created last summer. Pilots would need to complete the course, which AOPA will offer for free, every two years in addition to seeing their personal physician every four years to operate under the law. READ MORE ›

Pilots weigh in on new pattern study

AOPA’s announcement that the Air Safety Institute and the University of North Dakota had partnered to study a continuous turning approach as an alternative to the traditional box pattern sparked immediate, impassioned responses from pilots. While most were in favor of exploring the potential of a circular pattern, others took strong opposition, saying that a continuous turn to final approach is unsafe. READ MORE ›

FAA issues flight advisories for Trump inauguration

The FAA has issued flight advisories on security measures that will be in effect from January 19 to 21 for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Modifications will be made to the Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area and the Flight Restricted Zone, and procedures normally permitted at several of the area’s general aviation airports will be suspended. READ MORE ›

‘Barefoot Bandit’ campaign for flight training shut down

It was over almost before it started. Colton Harris-Moore, the so-called "Barefoot Bandit," launched a crowdfunding campaign in December to pay for flight lessons. He had collected about $1,500 in contributions before his federal probation officer stepped in. Harris-Moore got his nickname after stealing a series of airplanes, cars, and a boat. He was arrested in 2010 at age 19 after landing a Cessna Corvalis in the Bahamas. He served five years before his release in 2016. READ MORE ›

SkyCatchers sent to the scrap heap

Textron Aviation has removed parts from dozens of Cessna Skycatcher 162 aircraft still in its inventory and has sent the remaining fuselages to the scrap heap. Photos emerged on Facebook showing the fuselages hoisted by demolition machinery and dropped into dumpsters. READ MORE ›

In the Dec. 13, 2016, issue, we wanted to know if you have a multiengine airplane for training. Here are the results:

MARKETING

Finding free advertising

A positive newspaper or TV story about your business could be worth thousands of dollars in free advertising. How do you uncover these opportunities? Ed Helmick says you need look no further than the human interest stories at your own flight school, and he shows you how to get those stories to the right people. READ MORE ›

QUICK TIP

A new year brings new opportunities for your business. Think about upgrading your curriculum to include specialized training such as mountain checkouts, spin recovery, or tailwheel training. All of these offer new avenues into aviation that will keep your customers excited and engaged.

SAFETY

Back on the line: When damaged aircraft go undetected

Flight school operators anticipate a certain amount of damage to training aircraft, and they figure the resulting repair and insurance expenses into the cost of doing business. Unless there’s evidence of obvious misbehavior, no punishment is exacted beyond emphatic instruction in how to avoid making the same mistake again. Of course, that assumes they can figure out who the culprit was. READ MORE ›